Abstract

Fine particulate matter PM2.5 has attracted much attention both scientific and public, due to its effects on human health as meteorological conditions serves as one of the factors that have important effect on PM2.5 mass concentration. The study examined the relationship between certain meteorological elements and PM2.5 concentration in selected cities of the Niger delta region of Nigeria. Meteorological data were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. PM2.5 data that was used for this study was Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), it was acquired from remotely sensed satellite data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA¡¯s) earth observing system data and information system, PM2.5 concentration data and meteorological monthly data were obtained from 2001 to 2015 and multiple regression analysis was employed to test the relationship between PM2.5 concentration and the meteorological elements (Temperature, Rainfall, Relative Humidity and Wind Speed). The correlation analysis result showed that temperature had a positive correlation, rainfall had a negative correlation and wind speed also had a positive but low correlation. This has an effect on PM2.5 concentration because as temperature increases and rainfall decreases with low wind speed, PM2.5 concentration increases and this can lead to adverse health effects on human beings.